Jennie K. Willis, an animal behavior expert and the graduate coordinator for the Professional Science Master’s Program in Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management degree in the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University, offered tips in a press release.

“Darkness cues certain routines for pets, like going to bed or finding shelter,” she said, noting many pets may just go to where they sleep at night.

She recommended pets be left indoors, with curtains drawn and artificial light, to minimize the effect of the moon blocking the sun. Bird cages should be covered because they are especially sensitive to light cues.

Willis recommended that people traveling to view the eclipse leave pets at home.

People who take their dogs outside with them while they view the eclipse should keep them leashed. “With all the people and the variable responses by wildlife that may be possible, don’t lose your dog because you are relying on it to behave like it usually does,” she said.

Willis advised against encouraging pets to face skyward during the event, because they would need eye protection, just as humans do, to look at the sun safely, noting it’s unlikely they would keep eclipse glasses on.

“Most pets don’t spend time looking at the sun on a normal day, and are not likely to do so on this day either. However, dogs do tend to follow pointing and gazing by humans,” she said, recommending dog owners bring a toy or other distraction for the pet to keep their focus down.

“It has been decades since the last total eclipse, and we hope to learn and record much more about how pets and wild animals behave during this event,” Willis added.

Anyone who encounters wildlife during the eclipse, can take part in a citizen science project at iNaturalist.org, or by downloading the iNaturalist app on iTunes or Google Play on your phone.